The detained cabin crew was to board the flight bound for Kochi, along with 11 other crew members.

An Air India crew member was detained by authorities at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday for allegedly smuggling gold and currency.

The detained cabin crew was to board the flight bound for Kochi, along with 11 other crew members, sources said in Delhi.

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The incident which happened this morning forced Air India to operate the flight with 11 cabin crew members instead of mandatory 12, the sources added.

There was no official word from Air India.

The Air India spokesperson confirmed that a male crew member was detained, but did not confirm what the reason for detainment was. “Whatever the problem is, Air India will take suitable action against the crew member, if found guilty, ” said the spokesperson.